I’m long overdue for a book report! So, for the sake of time and not wanting to bore you all, rather than recapping every single book I’ve read since July, I’m only going to review those that I rated as either 4 or 5 stars. But I’m sharing my full list below.
I’ve read 21 books since July, and while I’m only giving two of those titles a 5-star rating, I did really enjoy and would recommend those I gave 4 stars. I’m just kind of stingy with my 5-star ratings. 😉
Let’s get this book party started! Kicking this off with the two that I gave 5 stars!
Malibu Rising
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a favorite author of mine. Her stories always suck me in right from the start and entertain me all the way through, and Malibu Rising, her latest release, did not disappoint. I could barely put it down! If you’re a fan of hers and have already read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll remember Nick Riva, the character this story revolves around, as one of Evelyn’s husbands. But you don’t have to read The Seven Husbands to pick up Malibu Rising. It stands alone, although it is really fun the way Reid tied these books together; and Seven Husbands is amazing!
Reid has a really engaging way of telling a story. And in Malibu Rising, I really loved the way the story essentially unfolds over a 24-hour timeline. She weaves the past with the present so perfectly, which allows the reader to get a full background picture, even though you’re only following one day in the life of the Riva kids.
It’s a family drama set in Malibu, California in the 80s. And it’s such a fast-paced, entertaining read! I mean, you can almost smell the Hawaiin Tropic. But at the heart of it, there’s heartbreak and love and real, raw human emotions……and well, I think Reid is a genius. Absolutely 5 stars from me. But Daisy Jones & The Six is still my favorite from Taylor Jenkins Reid.
The Nightengale
I’m not sure how or why, but I’m new to Kristin Hannah, and this is just my second read by her. But I can see why her books are so beloved. The Nightengale was released in 2015, and it’s been recommended to me so many times by some of my closest friends who know how much I love historical fiction.
And this story is my favorite kind in this genre as it focuses on women. The Nightengale shines a light on a part of WW11 history that is seldom mentioned. It tells the stories of two sisters who are very different in all the ways that seem to matter most, separated for years, each struggling to survive, to find love and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. It’s a devastating, heartbreaking novel that is also absolutely beautiful. And I love how it celebrates the strength of women.
A must-read for historical fiction fans – 5 stars!
And now for the 4 star reads…..
A Woman Is No Man
Speaking of heartbreaking, this book will gut you. Like absolutely tear your heart right out. But we need that sometimes, right? A Woman Is No Man tells the story of three generations of Palestinian-American women living in Brooklyn. Each woman faces her own inner struggle as she is torn between her individual wants and desires and the strict, controlling rules of her Arab culture. It gives a harsh, intimate look into their culture but tells a universal story about the ways secrets, silence, and shame can ultimately destroy a family.
The Arsonists’ City
There is so much happening in this book between the characters and the timeline switching from the past to the present that at times this story was hard to follow. But this family drama left such an impression on me. The story centers around the Nasr family, which is spread around the globe – Beirut, Brooklyn, Austin, and the California desert. The mother is Syrian, the father is Lebanese, and all three of their children are American-born. In a nutshell, this story is about the messy, complicated ties that bind a family together, and it’s told against the backdrop of migration and the legacy of war in the Middle East. It definitely left a mark on my heart.
The Maidens
I LOVED The Silent Patient so much (it was in my top five last year!), so I was excited to get my hands on Alex Michaelides second book. And I don’t really like to compare an author’s books because I feel like it’s similar to comparing someone’s children. It’s not really fair, and each should be evaluated on their own merit. 😉
I liked this one. A lot. But it’s not The Silent Patient.
It’s a psychological thriller set at Cambridge University that is heavy on mystery and suspense but light on the thriller side. It weaves in some Greek mythology, which I actually really enjoyed. But in general, the story moves along pretty slowly until the last few chapters. And then it felt like it ended in a hurry and left some lingering questions. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t read with as much vigor as I normally do with this genre.
The Paper Palace
This one caught me by surprise. I went in thinking it was going to be a summer-y, beach read, and woah, wow, not light and easy at all. Though it is set in the summer on Cape Cod, don’t get this twisted. This book is heavy! And I think it should come with a sexual assault trigger warning.
I was completely absorbed by this story from the very beginning. And my first impression of the main character left a bad taste in my mouth, but by the end of the book, I had so much empathy for her.
This story is about Elle, a 50-year-old seemingly happily married mother of three, who is spending the summer at “The Paper Palace” – her family’s summer place where she has visited every summer of her life. But this visit brings up old memories, haunting secrets from her past, and is further complicated by the boy next door, her oldest friend Jonas. The Paper Palace explores the tensions between coming-of-age first loves and grown-up commitments, the aftermath of abuse, and family secrets.
Bird by Bird
I blame curiosity. Over the years, I’ve heard so many people say that this book is a must-read for anyone who is or wants to become a writer. And recently, my 15-year-old daughter has been saying that she may want to explore writing as a career. So I decided to read this before recommending it to her. And I’m so glad I did!
This book gives a somewhat humorous look at the emotional challenges of being a writer while also presenting an essential guide to writing.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue
The ending…..there’s no easy way to say this. I hated it. BUT I did really enjoy this story. I just wish it had ended differently. I don’t want to give too much away here, but it’s not because I have to have a happy ending. This end just felt…unsatisfying.
The story begins in 1714 France and spans 300 years and two continents. Addie, a young woman essentially about to be forced against her will into marriage, makes a deal with the devil to live forever. And just like in The Little Mermaid, she has to give something up in order to have her wish granted. So she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Literally, no one remembers her. Not even her parents. Until one day, someone does. And that’s when the story really begins, in my opinion.
It’s a pretty epic tale as Addie comes to grapple with how unfulfilling even the most adventure-filled life can be without someone to remember you.
The Gifted School
If you’re looking for a book club pick, The Gifted School offers up so much to discuss! In some ways, it reminded me of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, but this story centers a bit more on the school itself.
Set in the fictional town of Crystal, Colorado, the story unfolds as four families who’ve been friends since their kids were born over a decade ago, start to unravel as they begin the application process for an exclusive school for gifted children that is opening in their community.
Competition, ambition, prestige, achievement, potential, race, class, privilege, this story explores it all. These fictional characters…..guarantee you’ve met or currently know some people that will remind of them.
Don’t Overthink It
If you tend to struggle with overthinking or have a hard time making decisions, I think you’ll enjoy Don’t Overthink It as much as I did. It’s part practical guide part memoir-ish, as Anne Bogel shares her own struggles with indecision, and I found it really insightful.
In it, you’ll find practical strategies to help you deal with both small and big decisions. It’s a good nonfiction read for the end or beginning of the year, I think. For my fellow enneagram type 9s, you’ll likely find a lot of great nuggets in this book!
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As for the titles didn’t discuss that are on my list up above, I did actually enjoy them all. Many of them I’d give 3 1/2 stars. There isn’t a book on that list that I didn’t enjoy.
Tell me about your recent 4 and 5-star reads! What’s on your reading list over the holiday break?!
